Undergraduate - UnitCIV2206 - Mechanics of solids

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

Synopsis

This unit aims to develop a deeper understanding of Engineering Structures as well as introducing students to the Theory of Elasticity. Students are introduced to more complex 2 & 3D frame systems and loadings (eg. thermal loading), plastic theory, shear stress theory and the moment-area method. The underlying principles/limitations of simple beam theory are explained, leading to the introduction of the Theory of Elasticity, which forms the basis for assessing the stress state of most engineering components. Students will learn to determine the stress and strain state in any solid state element and the underlying principles of material failure criteria. Also, through project work, students will be given the opportunity to compare experimental, computational (using propriety structural analysis software) and analytical data.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit the student should have the following knowledge and skills:

draw without calculation, bending moment diagrams and deflected shapes for various determinate and indeterminate frame systems.

understand the underlying principles and limitations/assumptions of simple beam theory and the need for stress analysis, i.e. the differences and commonality between determining stresses and strains using one dimensional beam theory and two dimensional plane stress and plane strain theory.

the underlying principles and calculation of transverse and longitudinal shear stress and shear flow in beams.

the underlying principles of plastic theory and how to calculate the partial plastic and fully plastic section moment capacities.

derive the rotation and deflection of beams using the semi-graphical moment-area method

the basic principles of stress and strain and how to determine normal and shear stresses given strain values from experimental gauges.

derive equivalent values in any direction, as a point in an element and derive principle stresses for failure design, using both transformation equations and/or Mohr's circle.

Assessment

Continuous Assessment: 40%Examination (3 hours): 60%Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.